Sydney families are choosing a mountains life to avoid high city prices

The view from a clifftop residence in Katoomba. Blue Mountains real estate has become more appealing for families wanting to get back to nature.

A GROWING number of homebuyers have been heading to the Blue Mountains in search of more affordable prices, a proper backyard and a lifestyle they could only dream about in Sydney.

Latest figures from CoreLogic show the median price of houses in Katoomba has increased significantly over the last three years from $360,000 to $515,000, while the average time homes spend on the market for sale has fallen from 101 days to just 34 days.

Strong capital growth has also been recorded in more expensive pockets — typically suburbs closer to Penrith — with Glenbrook, Mt Riverview, Faulconbridge and Springwood all enjoying annual gains of between 11 to 16 per cent.

Current prices show part of the area’s appeal. Sydney’s median house price is close to $950,000 but many Blue Mountains towns such as Blackheath, Hazelbrook, Lawson, and Medlow Bath still enjoy a median house price under $550,000. The cheapest is Mt Victoria where homes are typically priced about $472,500.

Agent Catriona Swan from Belle Property Leura said there has been a noticeable shift in the demographic of buyers moving to the area. When she first started working in the Blue Mountains 20 years ago it was mostly retirees looking for a treechange, today it is families and young professional couples on the move from Sydney.

Members of the Lovelock family play in Blue Mountains National Park. The family moved to the area for a change of pace.

The family claim the colder winters are a plus.

“They really want a veggie garden, to have chooks, and to be able to look out onto green space instead of their neighbours’ garden,’’ she said. “It’s a quality of life decision that people are making. It’s a wonderful place for families with good public and private schools.”

“You do have to like the cold but we still get lovely weather in spring, summer and autumn and a lot of what we do in those seasons is very outdoor-based. And then in winter, we hibernate a little.’’

Bianca and Justin Lovelock were one of the families who made the move, relocating their four young children from Gymea Bay to Wentworth Falls.

They paid just a little over $400,000 for their level four-bedroom home on a 900 sqm back in 2013 and claim the slower pace of life was part of the appeal.

26 Sixth Ave, Katoomba is on the market for sale. Typical Katoomba prices are still below $550,000.

“It is really beautiful and very unique — there can be clear skies and you can see the mist like smoke rolling in,’’ Ms Lovelock said. “One of the magical things for the kids has been the snowfall, especially the year before, it was a good four days before it melted.’’

Their children Kiera, 11, Freya, eight, Narayan, seven, and Jarrah, four, have plenty of space to play. The family have chickens in the backyard and have planted fruit trees.

Ms Lovelock, a part-time yoga teacher and naturopath, is able to stay at home to look after the family while her husband was able to negotiate working from home two days a week.

“It is nowhere as intense as Sydney — the pace is far slower here. There’s also a very warm community feel and a willingness to converse with strangers, which is really lovely,’’ she said.

Properties for sale at the high end of the market include 140 Falls Rd, Wentworth Falls, for sale at $2 million.

Two decades ago, employment in the Blue Mountains centered around tourism and hospitality, however, technology now allows more people to work remotely.

A younger population has also revived a busy cafe and creative arts scene, Swan said.

Those commuting are not travelling as far with more government jobs now located in Sydney’s West, while upgrades to the Great Western Highway have also made it a quicker journey for those working in business parks such as Norwest at Baulkham Hills.

Chief economist for REA Group Nerida Conisbee said some families were now opting for a Blue Mountains lifestyle over housing estates in Sydney’s West, which were similarly priced.

“A lot of buyers really like established areas and are prepared to go further out to get something that is unique,’’ she said.

REA data shows a cluster of towns around Blaxland including Leonay, Warrimoo, and Glenbrook, situated a 20-minute drive from Penrith, are currently experiencing high demand.

Agent Stewart Lamont from Lister & Cole has also noticed the trend with properties selling within a week or two of being listed with multiple offers.

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